Ann Ralph says, “...choose varieties by flavor and climate adaptability rather than by tree size. Nearly any standard and semidwarf tree — from pears, peaches and plums to apples and apricots — can be trained to stay much more compact. She explains how here:
https://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/gardening-techniques/small-fruit-trees-zm0z15onzdel
Basically you cut off the top 2/3 of you tree and use pruning techniques described.
Seeing how expensive is different to everyone Willis Orchards has a sale most plants are under $25.
https://www.willisorchards.com/category/dwarf-fruit-trees?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkJaWzN6D3wIVUtbACh3MYg_ZEAAYASAAEgKn4PD_BwE
Shipping varies by tree size but if you purchase all 1-2’ trees it’s $20 shipping.
I grow most of my plants from seed which is much more economical and gives greater selection. I currently have several trees growing in my kitchen including
apple and orange. You have to account for loss. I usually sprout 5 seeds per type and pick the best to grow out. If you put seeds in damp paper towel in the fridge for two weeks then plant them they will sprout quickly.
Choose trees which can handle a stunted
root system. Do well in containers:
Banana
Almond
Cherry
Lemon
Persimmon
Avocado
Blueberry
Paw paw
Guava
Mango
Kumquat
Michigan Bulb has a 40% off sale right now.
https://m.michiganbulb.com
Check gurneys.com too. Most of their trees/plants won’t ship until Spring.
Etsy.com may have some more options.
From bioadvanced.com
Fig potted and pruned to 12-15 inches high when purchased, annual winter pruning to increase branches. Container Varieties : ‘Brown Turkey,’ ‘Preston Prolific,’ ‘Black Genoa’ and ‘White Genoa.’
Grapes supported with
trellis. Choose varieties bearing fruit close to the trunk; ‘Interlaken’ or ‘Canadice,’ ‘Seyval,’ ‘Early Muscat,’ ‘Swenson Red’ or ‘Sweet Lace’.
Pillar or columnar peaches grow to 5 feet wide, more or less. If trees spread, prune branches back to 12 inches in early spring. Peaches are self-pollinating but do need a certain number of chilling hours to bear fruit. Try ‘Crimson Rocket,’ ‘SummerFest’ or ‘Sweet-N-Up.’
Feijoa, pineapple guava is a beautiful ornamental with mint-guava-pineapple-flavored fruit. Showy, 1-inch blooms have fleshy, edible white petals surrounding scarlet stamens. Prune to shape in late winter/early spring. Feijoa requires 100-200 chilling hours below 45°F to fruit. Fruits continue to ripen after picking. Some varieties require cross-pollination.
All varieties of star fruit adapt to growing in pots. Confined root spaces help curtail upward growth, but don't hesitate to prune trees during late winter/early spring to keep height manageable. Protect these tropicals during a freeze. Varieties include ‘Arkin,’ ‘Fwang Tung,’ ‘Kari’ and ‘Sri Kembangan.’